Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: NPP MLA and its chairman Harshdev Singh today lambasted the State Govt for announcing yet another postponement of Urban Local Bodies elections in the State and for its callous approach with respect to democratic decentralization at grass root level.
Addressing a large number of youth who joined the party at NPP head quarters today, Mr Singh that the Govt’s persistent policy of delay and deny in the matter of holding of Urban Local Bodies elections in the State was indicative of its political bankruptcy and lack of accountability. He said that the elections to Urban Local Bodies were due in early 2010 but had been inordinately and inexplicably delayed by more than three years only due to reluctance of the coalition partners to face a hostile electorate who were disappointed due to Govt’s non performance. He said that non holding of elections has deprived the State of Central funding worth hundreds of crores which has been declined by the Union Govt on account of failure of State Govt to constitute the said Municipal Bodies.
NPP leader said that the State Govt has not only been apathetic and negligent in ensuring time bound elections to the said bodies but has committed violations of legal provisions of Municipal Act and Municipal Corporation Acts in the process. He pointed out that Section 14 of Municipal Act categorically provides that elections to constitute a municipality shall be completed before the expiry of its duration of five years. He said “Sec 14 further States that the period of five years shall be reckoned from the date appointed for its first meeting”. He said that first meetings of all Municipal Bodies having been held in March-April 2005, the elections ought to be have been completed prior to March 2010 which has not been done by the Govt thus creating a legal infirmity in exercise of its powers under the said laws.
Expressing serious concern, Mr Singh appealed to the State Governor to intervene so as to check further violations of legal provisions and to further ensure that the people were not deprived of their genuine democratic rights and aspirations.
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